The United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues (USISL) announced that the Maryland Mania has been awarded an A-League franchise set to begin play in 1999. “We are extremely pleased that we’ve been able to place an A-League franchise in the state of Maryland, which has helped set the pace in the growth of soccer at the youth level,” says Francisco Marcos, commissioner of USISL. “We are confident that the ownership group will put the Mania in the best position to achieve success at this level.” The Maryland franchise is owned by Maryland Professional Soccer, LLC, a Columbia (Mary.)-based company. The ownership group is led by President A.J. Ali, who has more than 20 years of soccer experience as both a player and entreprenuer. “The Maryland Mania is excited about joining the A-League during the most challenging time in American soccer history,” says Ali. “The vision of Francisco Marcos is blossoming into a full-fledged multi-divisional structure supporting Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer’s goals for the nation. We look forward to contributing to that vision and being a positive force in the continuing development of the sport.” Leading the team on the field will be Daryl Gee, a U.S.S.F. A-licensed coach and 12-year veteran of the NASL and APSL. Gee, who was drafted by the world-famous New York Cosmos in 1980, went on to star for the Los Angeles Lasers, Washington Diplomats and the 1990 APSL champion Maryland Bays. He is currently the Director of Coaching and Player Development for the Sterling and Loudoun Youth Soccer Associations in Virginia, as well as the director of the Bethesda YMCA soccer leagues. The Mania, which becomes the first A-League team and only the third USISL team in the state (with the D3 Pro League’s Eastern Shore Sharks and the W-League’s Maryland Pride being the others), joins Lehigh Valley and the Pittsburgh Riverdogs as expansion teams next year as the A-League works toward its plan of eventually expanding to 32 teams. Ali has already secured a five-year sponsorship with Pepsi that will assist in the marketing of the team and include promotion of the new Maryland Mania Soccer Academy and Mania Fun Factory, a special event program for corporate events and youth soccer promotion. The A-League, which currently features 28 teams, is the highest level of soccer among USISL leagues and is one level below MLS. The USISL also features the D3 Pro League, the Premier Development Soccer League, and the W-League.